PLATTSBURGH -- The dream of an Empire State Summer Games in the North Country is indeed alive and well and gathering momentum toward the goal of hosting the 2012 events.

Bob Garrow, Plattsburgh State Hall of Famer and retired educator, is serving as chairman of the steering committee hoping to bring the Summer Games to the North Country for the first time.

"One thing definitely in our favor is that we have a lot of experienced people and ideas from before," Garrow emphasized.

In 2000, Plattsburgh was well on its way to making a bid for the 2006 Games. However, the World Trade Center tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001 put critical state funding on hold and effectively dashed North Country hopes -- until now.

The 2012 Games committee needs to submit a formal application by late this year, but, beforehand, must find adequate housing. At the moment, the group has commitments of 5,643 beds for the Games dates of July 23-27, 2012. It needs to reach 5,800 in order to proceed with plans.

"Housing for the athletes and support personnel is the biggest thing," Garrow said. "Before you get into forming commitees and fundraising, you need to know that the housing is in place.

"We pretty much have a commitment from all the colleges in the area, the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, the National Sports Academy, Miner Institute and United Housing, the new student housing development going in (on Broad Street in Plattsburgh).

"What we're looking for now are any college landlords who may be willing to help us out that summer; landlords we have not yet reached or that we're not aware of."

Most of the Games competition will take place in Plattsburgh and Lake Placid, but Games organizers hope to make use of other facilities; hence, they are promoting the 2012 idea as being a North Country Empire Games.

Anyone or any group with rooms that might be available during the 2012 period is encouraged to contact Bob Garrow, at 563-2419, Keith Tyo, at 563-4628, or Tom Lacey, at 563-0706, as soon as possible or at least by the middle of May.

"Once we get that commitment, we can work on completing application. We're anxious to get that done," Garrow added.